Mental Health First Aid Course Scheduled In Oakland

A Youth Mental Health First Aid Training is scheduled for Friday, April 13, in Oakland. Mental Health First Aid is the initial help given to a person showing symptoms of mental illness or in a mental health crisis until appropriate professional or other help, including peer and family support, can be engaged.

The course will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Garrett County Health Department’s conference room. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and is limited to 24 person. Lunch will be provide. The dealine for registration is April 10.

Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour national certification course designed to teach a layperson the skills to recognize the signs of mental health or substance use disorder crisis, identify community resources, and link individuals in need of treatment and support to the proper resources.

The Youth Mental Health First Aid course is designed for adults who work with youth ages 12-17. The youth program teaches signs and symptoms of emerging mental health problems and how to differentiate potential problems from typical adolescent development and emphasizes the importance of early intervention.

This in-person skill-based course will teach a 5-step action plan which can be used to help those in need. The 5-step action plan, ALGEE, includes:

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm
• Listen nonjudgementally
• Give reassurance and information
• Encourage appropriate professional help
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies

Call 301-334-7440 for registration information. Training is sponsored by Garrett County Behavioral Health Authority/Local Management Board.